Isiah Thomas rescinds contract with Knicks
Basketball Betting Lines
08/11/2010 -
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Less than a week after being named a
consultant for the New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas announced he has rescinded
the contract due to a violation of certain NBA bylaws.
Thomas was named a Knicks consultant last Friday and was expected to maintain
his position as head coach at Florida International University while serving
in a supportive role that was to include player recruitment and assisting
current team president Donnie Walsh in various capacities.
"Although I'm disappointed that Isiah will not be working with the Knicks as a
consultant, I continue to believe in his basketball knowledge, including his
ability to judge talent," said Knicks chairman James Dolan. "He's a good
friends of mine and of the organization, and I will continue to solicit his
views."
Those duties have apparently violated the conflict of interest rules between
collegiate and professional basketball.
"After speaking with commissioner [David] Stern and Knicks executives, it has
become apparent that my new agreement violates certain NBA bylaws," Thomas
said in a statement on Wednesday. "Because of this, I have decided to rescind
my contract with the team."
Thomas oversaw the Knicks' operations from 2003-08, a span that did not
include a postseason appearance.
"One of the biggest regrets of my life is that the Knicks didn't perform up to
the standards the fans had every right to expect while I was in charge,"
Thomas continued. "I take full responsibility for that. I was very much
looking forward to this unique opportunity to help the organization do what I
do best: find basketball talent. I wish the team nothing but success in the
future."
A Hall of Fame player with the Pistons from 1981-94, Thomas was a 12-time All
Star and two-time NBA champion during his illustrious career. In addition to
coaching the Knicks from 2006-08, he also coached the Pacers from 2000-03 and
has an all-time record of 187-223 in five seasons.
During his tenure in the Knicks' front office, the team never won more than 39
games and won fewer than 25 twice. Thomas' tenure with the Knicks was also
marred by the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former team executive Anucha
Browne Sanders.
Shortly after his time with New York ended, he was rushed to the hospital for
reportedly overdosing on sleeping pills. He has since been hired as the head
coach at FIU, where he went 7-25 in his first season in 2009-10.
"Although I'm disappointed that Isiah will not be working with the Knicks as a
consultant, I continue to believe in his basketball knowledge, including his
ability to judge talent," Dolan said. "He's a good friend of mine and of the
organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have
strong ties to me and the team. We wish him continued success at FIU. I
also believe Donnie Walsh has done a terrific job since joining the Knicks
and my tremendous respect for him has only grown since he's joined the
organization. I'm confident that the work that Donnie, Coach Mike D'Antoni
and their staffs have done this summer has the team poised for long-term
success."
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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.
Super Bowl 2009 Betting propositions
Underdog bettors love the Super Bowl and, history suggests, the underdogs love them back. And the big dogs bite harder.
Even so, there is a warning in store for Super Bowl gamblers who must love dogs: The Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl betting lines might not be enough of a Cinderella to make it worth your while.
Although the Cardinals were widely panned as one of the worst division winners and least playoff-worthy teams in recent memory, their trip to Super Bowl XLIII Jan. 31 in Tampa against the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl betting lines comes with a little more respect from the oddsmakers than you might imagine. They are a 7-point underdog at most sports books.
If you count yourself among those who covet the big dog in the big game, this isn’t exactly great news. You should have been hoping for more points. This is because the facts show that the bigger the dog, the better the bet in the Super Bowl.
Case in point: Over the past 13 seasons, double-figure underdogs in the Super Bowl are 4-0-1 ATS and have won the past three outright. In fact, the last double-digit chalk to do the deed for bettors was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers, who managed to beat the astounding 19-point spot afforded backers of the San Diego Chargers in the 49-26 romp in Super Bowl XXIX.
By contrast, 7-point favorites are 2-1-1 ATS in the same span, the last such contest resulting a cover grinded out by the Colts in their 29-17 win over the Bears two seasons ago in Super Bowl XLI.
In 2004, the Patriots failed to cover the number in their 32-29 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl props while the Rams and Titans gave everyone a refund in 2000 after the Rams posted a 23-16 win as a seven-point favorite.
So while Arizona’s run has included impressive upsets as a 10-point road underdog to the Carolina Panthers and Sunday’s 32-25 win in the NFC championship game to the 4-point favored Philadelphia Eagles, their long-shot story lacks a bit of the David vs. Goliath storyline of past Super Bowl underdogs.
While the seven-point spread represents a significant gap in the perception of strength between the two teams, it is far from monumental. For example, last season the Giants were the wild-card afterthought turned road-warrior buzzsaw, with stunning wins over the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers to earn their place in the Super Bowl.
There, they played spoiler to New England’s bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history and cemented their place in sports betting lore with a 17-14 win as a 12.5-point underdog.
In other words, the Cardinals appear to have their work cut out for them as a mid-range underdog. But in homage to the spread beaters who have come before them, here is a brief look back at recent colossal upsets in the Super Bowl:
SB XLII -- 2008 -- New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Giants +12.5) – Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute clinched the historic upset for the Giants, who used a masterful defensive plan to slow down Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
XXXVI -- 2002 -- Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Patriots +14) – This was the coming out party for the aforementioned Brady, who went from obscure sixth-round draft pick to Super Bowl hero in one fell swoop. He led the game-winning drive in the final minute – eschewing analyst John Madden’s advice to take a knee and play for overtime – leading to Adam Vinatieri’s memorable 48-yard field goal that split the uprights as time expired.
XXXII 1998 Broncos 31, Packers 24 (Denver +12) – The first of John Elway’s two consecutive Super Bowl titles to put an end to his Hall of Fame career was an upset for the ages. The Broncos used the determination of Elway and a 157-yard, three-touchdown performance from Terrell Davis to turn back Brett Favre and the heavily favored Packers.
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